By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
In just a couple of weeks, residents will be able to visit a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall right here in Clermont County.
The traveling wall, which is part of the American Veterans’ Traveling Tribute, will be at Veterans’ Memorial Park in Union Township from Oct. 10-13.
“We are excited about it coming back to the county,” Howard Daugherty, executive director of the Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission, said.
Daugherty said the wall is an 80 percent replica of the permanent monument located in Washington D.C. The replica is 350 feet long and eight feet tall and lists the names of individuals who died in the Vietnam War.
In addition to the wall, Daugherty said the traveling tribute will also include 190 feet of stand-up displays honoring all veterans and those who are currently serving.
“It also has a series of stand-up exhibits,” Daugherty said. “It has the Sept. 11 memorials, a walk of heros, a series of stand-ups to educate about the United States history, police and firefighter displays that pay tribute to law enforcement and firefighters.”
Other displays include timelines, statistics and history from United States wars and conflicts.
Several ceremonies are planned while the wall is in the county, and there will be guest speakers or special events every day.
Daugherty said other groups and organizations have planned events to coincide with the traveling wall, including veterans’ appreciation dinners, motorcycle rides, and more.
“Everything is pretty much set in stone,” Daugherty said about the planning of events.
He said a committee of approximately 20 individuals from the county has been working on planning the events and details of the traveling tribute.
Union Township Administrator Ken Geis said the township has been involved in planning for the tribute to come back a second time.
Geis said the traveling tribute was brought to the township first in 2003. He said they estimated that 25,000 people came out to view the wall when it was in the county.
The wall will be open 24-hours each day and is free to view.
Some groups and organizations are planning shuttles that will drop visitors off at the park.
A schedule of events can be found at www.clermontcountyveterans.com, more information about the traveling tribute is available at www.avtt.org.